1 ~ (sb/sth) (against / from sth) to make sure that sb/sth is not harmed, injured, damaged, etc:
[VN] Troops have been sent to protect aid workers against attack. * They huddled together to protect themselves from the wind. * Our aim is to protect the jobs of our members. * Each company is fighting to protect its own commercial interests. * [V] a paint that helps protect against rust
2 [VN] [usuallypassive] to introduce laws that make it illegal to kill, harm or damage a particular animal, area of land, building, etc:
a protected area / species * The plant is protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.
3 [VN] [usuallypassive] to help an industry in your own country by taxing goods from other countries so that there is less competition:
protected markets
4 ~ (sb/sth) (against sth) to provide sb/sth with insurance against fire, injury, damage, etc:
[VN] Many policies do not protect you against personal injury. [also V]
